Question 1

Which of the following leadership styles describes a leader who provides little direction or support?

Accepted Answer

The delegating leadership style involves providing little direction or support, and instead entrusting tasks and decision-making to team members.

Question 2

Research by Fiedler uncovered three contingency dimensions that define the key ________.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's contingency theory proposes that the key determinants of leader effectiveness are the leader's behavioral style and the situational factors. The theory identifies three contingency dimensions that define the situational factors: leader-member relations, task structure, and position power. These factors affect the degree to which the leader can influence the behavior of their followers, and therefore determine the extent to which a particular style of leadership is effective. Therefore, the best choice is A - situational factors for determining leader effectiveness.

Question 3

According to Hersey and Blanchard, a high task-low relationship situation calls for the ________ leadership style.

Accepted Answer

In a high task-low relationship situation, the leader needs to provide clear and specific direction to their subordinates. This is best achieved through the telling leadership style, where the leader provides specific instructions and closely supervises their subordinates' work. The other leadership styles (delegating, participating, and selling) are more appropriate for different combinations of task and relationship levels.

Question 4

The ________ model proposed that effective group performance depended upon the proper match between the leader's style of interacting with his or her followers and the degree to which the situation allowed the leader to control and influence.

Accepted Answer

The Fiedler contingency model suggests that effective leadership is contingent on the match between a leader's style and the level of control and influence the situation provides.

Question 5

According to the path-goal theory, a leader who lets subordinates know what's expected of them, schedules work to be done, and gives specific guidance as to how to accomplish tasks is termed ________.

Accepted Answer

The characteristics described in the question are aligned with the directive leadership style, which is one of the four styles of the path-goal theory. A leader who adopts this style gives specific instructions, clarifies expectations, and provides guidance on how to achieve tasks.

Question 6

Who developed the path-goal theory?

Accepted Answer

The path-goal theory was developed by Robert House in the 1970s.

Question 7

Which of the following are two of the three key situational factors Fiedler felt were important in determining leader effectiveness?

Accepted Answer

Fiedler believed that the key situational factors that determined leader effectiveness were task structure and leader-member relations. Maturity of followers was the third situational factor according to Fiedler, but it is not included as an option in the given choices. Organizational success and position power are not among Fiedler's situational factors.

Question 8

According to the path-goal theory, a leader who is friendly and shows concern for the needs of subordinates is termed ________.

Accepted Answer

According to the path-goal theory, a leader who is friendly and shows concern for the needs of subordinates is termed as supportive. This type of leader provides emotional and psychological support to their subordinates, which in turn helps to increase their job satisfaction, motivation, and engagement.

Question 9

Reviews of the major studies undertaken to test the overall validity of Fiedler's model have shown ________.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's Contingency Model has been supported by considerable evidence, indicating that the effectiveness of leadership styles is contingent on situational factors.

Question 10

According to the path-goal theory, a manager who consults with subordinates and uses their suggestions exhibits what type of leadership behavior?

Accepted Answer

According to the path-goal theory, a participative leadership style involves consulting with subordinates and using their suggestions to make decisions. This type of leadership behavior is aimed at increasing employee involvement and empowerment, which can lead to higher motivation and productivity.

Question 11

Fiedler's dimension termed ________ is the degree of confidence, trust, and respect subordinates have for their leader.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's dimension termed "leader-member relations" refers to the degree of confidence, trust and respect subordinates have for their leader. Choice B, power relationship, is not a Fiedler's dimension. Choice C, task structure, refers to the degree to which tasks are clear-cut and well-defined. Choice D, authority, is not a Fiedler's dimension.

Question 12

Which leadership theory believes that a leader's job is to assist followers in attaining their goals and to ensure that their goals are compatible with the goals of the group or organization?

Accepted Answer

The Path-Goal theory, developed by Robert House, believes that a leader's job is to assist followers in attaining their goals and to ensure that their goals are compatible with the goals of the group or organization. The theory suggests that a leader's behavior should be based on the needs of the followers in order to maximize their performance and satisfaction. The leader must provide support, guidance, and resources to the followers to help them achieve their goals, and must also make sure that the goals of the followers align with the goals of the organization.

Question 13

To measure a leader's style, Fiedler developed the ________.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler developed the least-preferred co-worker questionnaire as a tool to measure a leader's style, focusing on whether a leader is task-oriented or relationship-oriented based on their feelings towards the least-preferred co-worker.

Question 14

Fiedler's term ________ refers to the degree of influence a leader has over power-based activities.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's term for the degree of influence a leader has over power-based activities is known as "position power." Leader-member relations refers to the degree of trust and respect between a leader and followers, responsibility refers to the duties and obligations assigned to a particular role or position, and task structure refers to the clarity and precision of tasks and goals.

Question 15

Fiedler would expect that the best leadership style was a function of ________.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's contingency theory states that the best leadership style is contingent upon the leader-member relations (whether the leader and employees have good or poor relationships), task structure (whether the task is highly structured or unstructured), and position power (the extent to which the leader has formal authority and control over resources). Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Question 16

Which of the following leadership styles describes a leader who provides both directive and supportive behavior?

Accepted Answer

The selling leadership style is characterized by providing both directive and supportive behavior. The leader provides clear instructions while also being supportive and encouraging.

Question 17

Fiedler assumed a person's leadership style was ________.

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's contingency theory states that a person's leadership style is fixed and can only be changed by altering the situation in which the leader operates.

Question 18

The ________ theory is a contingency theory that focuses on followers' readiness.

Accepted Answer

The situational leadership theory posits that effective leadership is contingent on the followers' readiness to execute tasks or complete objectives. This theory suggests that leadership style should vary based on the level of readiness of the followers. Therefore, B is the best answer.

Question 19

The degree to which the job assignments are formalized and procedurized is the ________ contingency dimension identified by Fiedler.

Accepted Answer

Task structure refers to the degree to which the job assignments are formalized and procedurized. Position power and centralization refer to the degree of authority given to the leader, while subordinate maturity refers to the readiness and ability of the followers to perform their tasks.

Question 20

At Falcons Inc., Jeremy is the head of the marketing department.However, he is not in the habit of deciding everything on his own.He involves his team in the decision-making process as much as possible.He believes in communicating clearly and is always ready to help his team to get the best out of them.Jeremy's leadership style will be classified as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

This leadership style is also known as the "democratic" leadership style. In the participating style, the leader involves their team in the decision-making process, communicates clearly, and supports their team to achieve their best performance. Jeremy's behavior of involving his team in decision-making, communicating clearly and helping them perform well aligns with the characteristics of the participating leadership style.

Quiz 18: Managers As Leaders